Union County, Mississippi

Union County, Mississippi
Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of Mississippi. It was formed in 1870 from Tippah and Pontotoc counties, and in 1874 a portion of Lee County was added. As of the 2020 census, the population was 27,777. Its county seat is New Albany. According to most sources, the county received its name by being a union of pieces of several large counties, like other Union counties in other states. However, other sources say that the name was meant to mark the re-union of Mississippi and the other Confederate states after the Civil War (at the time, the state had a Republican government under Reconstruction).
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.3%) is water.
Major highways
Interstate 22
U.S. Route 78
Mississippi Highway 9
Mississippi Highway 15
Mississippi Highway 30
Mississippi Highway 178
Mississippi Highway 348
Mississippi Highway 349
Mississippi Highway 355
Adjacent counties
Benton County (north)
Tippah County (north)
Prentiss County (east)
Lee County (southeast)
Pontotoc County (south)
Lafayette County (southwest)
Marshall County (northwest)
National protected area
Holly Springs National Forest (part)
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 27,777 people, 9,808 households, and 6,922 families residing in the county.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 25,362 people, 9,786 households, and 7,241 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 10,693 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 83.42% White, 14.95% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.67% from other races, and 0.62% from two or more races. 1.63% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,786 households, out of which 34.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.90% were married couples living together, 11.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.00% were non-families. 23.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.90% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 28.50% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,682, and the median income for a family was $39,666. Males had a median income of $29,087 versus $21,418 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,700. About 9.60% of families and 12.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.10% of those under age 18 and 20.80% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
City
New Albany (county seat and largest municipality)
Towns
Myrtle
Sherman (partly in Pontotoc County and Lee County)
Village
Blue Springs
Unincorporated communities
Alpine
Enterprise
Etta
Ingomar
Jugfork
Keownville
New Harmony
Wallerville
Education
There are two school districts: New Albany Public Schools and Union County School District.
Politics
See also
National Register of Historic Places listings in Union County, Mississippi
References
Mississippi counties
Counties of Appalachia
1870 establishments in Mississippi
Populated places established in 1870